Question to DM's regarding Creation of a Trait for BoNS 3.5

[CuttinCurt]

I am curious if this trait concept is right on power level. It is based off the Practiced Spellcaster feat from 3.5.

My question is, would any DM accept this trait in their game? And if not, please explain why. If you would accept it, I would love the reasoning for this as well.

Please refrain from comments stating that you would not allow a BoNS character in your pathfinder campaign. This is not the question I need answered. :D TY.

Trait Name: Martial Minded
Benefit: Your Initiator level for the selected non-martial class (any class not Crusader/Swordsage/Warblade) increases by 2. The character's initiator level can never exceed his hit dice. Example, if a (fighter 2 / Crusader 2) took this trait, the initiator level for this character would be 4, not 3. A character with more than one non-martial class must select which one will recieve the benefit of this trait. It is also possible to not fully benefit from this trait when it is initially taken. In the example above, when the character reached 4th level fighter, he would gain the last of the benefits from this trait.
Normal: Your Initiator Level is equal to 1/2 your character level with all non-martial classes (classes that do not provide access to martial manuevers).

[NeoSeraphi]

Looks fine to me. It's less useful than Magical Knack, no reason I wouldn't allow it.

[LazarX]

CuttinCurt wrote:

I am curious if this trait concept is right on power level. It is based off the Practiced Spellcaster feat from 3.5.

My question is, would any DM accept this trait in their game? And if not, please explain why. If you would accept it, I would love the reasoning for this as well.

It's an extremely subjective call. It all depends on the games I'd run, some I'd allow it and some I would not. It depends much on the total campaign package, the flavor, and the level of grittiness I'm going for.

This last point I'll repeat again. Even within the same game system, I don't believe that one needs to use the same rules standard from campaign to campaign. Much depends on the feel you're aiming for and rules can have a major impact on it.

[StreamOfTheSky]

What Neo said. It's plainly weaker than a similar existing trait (Magical Knack; caster levels are better than initiator levels), so no reason to not allow it. I'd remove the requirement to choose one class to apply it to, that's unnecessary added restrictions. It's already quite tame.

On a related note, I long ago houseruled Fighters to get Weapon Aptitude (warblade's ability to swap what weapon their weapon-related feats apply to each day...WHY is this not a fighter class feature?) and advance initiator level at a 1:1 rate (so a level 5 Fighter could use Martial Study for a 3rd level maneuver, or a Warblade 2 / Fighter 6 would be IL 8 and able to get 4th level maneuvers, or a Warblade 2 / Crusader 2 / Fighter 6 would be IL 8 for both Warblade and Crusader maneuvers, etc...).

[CuttinCurt]

First off, Thanks for the replies.

I will start with Lazar since his feelings on the situation seem to fit how my DM is approaching this.

First off, we are playing the Carrion Crown campaign in Ustalav. I am playing a Dhampir fighter 2 about to start my trip down the Crusader path at 3rd level.

I asked him if I could take the Extra Traits feat at 3rd level, choosing this one that I placed here, and one of the standard +1 to will saves trait.

All this really does is allow me access to 2nd level crusader manuevers at 3rd character level. If I do not do something like this, then 2nd level manuevers will not be available to me till 5th character level (3rd crusader)

There is more but I must sign off now.will be back with more responses to the others.

Thanks, Curtis